Date: 25th May 1942
Unit: No. 222 Squadron R.A.F.
Type: Supermarine Spitfire VB
Serial: AD233
Coded: ZD-F
Location: Sea off Dunkirk
Pilot: Sdn/Ldr. Jerzy Jankiewicz D.F.C. 83698 R.A.F. Age; 28, Killed (Poland.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Killed on a Ramrod west of Dunkirk. Previously wounded during The Battle of Britain, 4th September 1940, whilst flying a Hurricane I (R4214) with 601 squadron Tangmere. Forced-landed near Goring with damage sustained in combat with Bf110s over Worthing 1.45 p.m. Aircraft damaged but repairableafter combat with an Me110 - managed to fly the aircraft home and the aircraft was repaired. His R.A.F. career started at 601 squadron based at Debden in August 1940, following that he served with 303 squadron from October 1940 then went on to serve in the operations room until his appointment as A Flight Commander on April 13th, 1941. On May 15th 1941 he was then appointed B Flight Commander. Following the death of S/Ldr Lapkowski, Jerzy Jankiewicz took over 303 Squadron Leader on the 9th July 1941. On November 20th 1941 he went off operations as Flying Control Officer. In May 1942 he joined 222 squadron.
He had received the Virtuti Militari, Cross of Valour with two bars and the D.F.C. - he is credited with 2½ destroyed, 1⅓ probables and several damaged.
He has no known grave.
We are now in contact with the family and look forward to receiving further information. Anyone else who has further information we would be pleased to receive it and pass onto the relatives.
Supermarine Spitfire VB AD233 lost on the 25th May 1942
Jerzy Jankiewicz D.F.C. on extreme left. (A.R.Society archive)
Jerzy Jankiewicz D.F.C. Spitfire VB AD233
Polish War Memorial, Warsaw, Poland. (A.R.Society archive)
Research by Kelvin T. Youngs (A.R.S.) January 2009
